Traces of Sadness and Sentimientos Filipinos: A Selection

Tomas Javier Calvillo Unna responds to the complex and multivalent realities of our world in both his personality and intellect. An accomplished writer and poet, with works in his native Spanish translated to English and Filipino, one of his most recent collection of poetry “Filipinas, textos cercanos,” was published in 2010 during his second year in the Philippines as Ambassador of Mexico. Calvillo Unna’s poetry is poignant, marked with sadness at the tragedies that have plagued our shared humanity, yet declining judgment and transcending bitterness. His work is meditative, intuitive and impressionistic. One can sense this sorrow, and passion when he speaks, engaging and never distant. A subtle twinkle in his eye, and the hint of a grin will preface the wry sense of humor that will eventually reveal the warmth and easy-going nature which friends enjoy. His paintings are the visual manifestation of his poetry, resonating with the full range of expression that his words carry.